An optical lens manufacturer has been named the overall winner of this year’s Caerphilly Business Forum Awards.
Lenstec, based in Bedwas, was also named Large Business of the Year in addition to winning the Premier Award.
Since 1983, the company has grown to become one of the leading manufacturers and employers in the area and currently employs 115 at its Bedwas site and a total of 195 across its three sites.
Gerard Donovan, Lenstec’s Finance Director, said: “We are absolutely delighted and honoured. It was a privilege to be nominated and to achieve these awards. We have come from humble beginnings with a business of three employees to 195 today”
Caerphilly AM Hefin David presented the company with the award and described it as “one of the greatest success stories of our region over the last few decades”.
Hosted by former BBC Wales presenter Jamie Owen, the 2018 Caerphilly Business Forum Awards were held at Llechwen Hall Hotel on Friday, November 23, and brought together businesses large and small from across a a variety of industry sectors.
Forum Chairwoman Denise Lovering said: “We are continually stunned by the quality of entrants these awards have received year after year, and yet again the judging panel have faced a very difficult task in deciding who the winners will be.
“Each business shortlisted can be extremely proud of their achievements. Their hard work has clearly paid dividends and it is thanks to the businesses and individuals represented at these awards that our region continues to serve as an economic beacon for the whole of Wales.”
The 2018 Caerphilly Business Forum Award winners
Apprentice of the Year Award, sponsored by Educ8
Kirsty Davies – Help4Wales Foundation
Highly Commended: WR Investigations – Bethan Fox Mabe
Business Woman of the Year Award, sponsored by Glenside Commercials
Claire Mountain – Mountain Celebrations
Creative & Digital Business of the Year Award
Big Lemon
Highly Commended: GreenNova Productions Ltd
Entrepreneur of the Year Award, sponsored by Coleg y Cymoedd
Gareth Jones – Town Square Spaces
Large Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Caerphilly County Borough Council
Lenstec Optical Group
Contribution to the Rural Economy Award, sponsored by Cwm a Mynydd
Llechwen Hall Hotel
Highly Commended: FAB Fabrics
Small Business of the Year, sponsored by Coffee 37
Maid to Help Cleaning Specialist
Start-Up Business of the Year Award
Panda Education & Training
Welsh ICE Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Welsh ICE
Weird Triangle
Overall Winner
Lenstec Optical Group
